Rent Agnus Dei (1970)
3.4 of 5 from 49 ratings
1h 25min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
- Miklos Jancso's symbolic re-enactment of Hungary's 1919 revolution and its suppression is a virtuoso display of cinematic skill, transforming history into a timeless, mythic struggle. As the countryside is rocked by political upheavals, a fanatical priest emerges as leader, engulfing the local people in ceaseless waves of violence. With choreographed camerawork endlessly encircling the characters, Jancso powerfully conveys the chaos of war. A potent allegory of the rise of fascism in Hungary after WWI, the film develops into an ageless, chilling exploration of the mechanics of oppression.
- Actors:
- József Madaras, Daniel Olbrychski, Márk Zala, Lajos Balázsovits, Anna Széles, Jaroslava Schallerová, András Kozák, István Avar, István Bujtor, Tamás Bálint, István Csurka, László Horváth, Mária Neményi, Gaspar Jancso, György Pintér, János Koltai, Balázs Kosztolányi, Zsolt Körtvélyessy, József Pecsenke, Gábor Kiss
- Directors:
- Miklós Jancsó
- Writers:
- Gyula Hernádi, Miklós Jancsó
- Aka:
- Égi bárány / Heavenly Lamb
- Genres:
- Classics, Drama
- Countries:
- Hungary
- BBFC:
- Release Date:
- 13/12/2021
- Run Time:
- 88 minutes
- Languages:
- Hungarian LPCM Mono
- Subtitles:
- English
- Formats:
- Pal
- Aspect Ratio:
- Widescreen 1.66:1
- Colour:
- Colour
- BLU-RAY Regions:
- (0) All
- Bonus:
- Interview with Miklos Jancso: an archival interview with the celebrated filmmaker made for the television series The Other Europe (1987)
- World premiere release on Blu-ray
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Reviews (1) of Agnus Dei
One for the students of film - Agnus Dei review by TE
This is an important blu-ray release of an arthouse classic. The director, Miklos Jancso, is partly famous for his use of long, unbroken tracking shots, a technique that is currently very much in fashion (aided by today's superior equipment).
The film is set in 1919 at the time of the suppression of a revolution in Hungary. A fundamentalist Christian priest organises violence against the progressive movement. In the end both extremes are presented as equally repressive of the local peasantry. Everything is filmed in the open countryside, but it still has too much of a theatrical feel to it.
The main interest for most contemporary viewers lies in the many striking images. It is one of those 1960s-70s European films where single frames can be isolated as stand-alone artworks in their own right.
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